I'm getting around to the never-ending tool maintenance chores. As much as I like my Pace MBT-250 Soldering/Desoldering station, keeping the tips in good shape is always a challenge. And, the bloody tips are EXPENSIVE!.....typically $55 per 5-pk, whether desoldering or soldering tips. The Desoldering tips are the ones that drive me nuts....infamous for NOT conducting heat after sitting idle, even when the system powers down your iron, once you wake it up, and you've been flogging those tips for a few months, with the air path cleaned out, the solder joint doesn't heat up. I do continually use the Tip Tinning compound and brass bristle brush to get back to what looks like a good conductive surface, but it seems like the iron always want's a brand new tip before it will accommodate me.
Does anyone have any luck with restoring the conductive surfaces on tips as they age and oxidize? I don't have a solder pot to try dipping them into the pot after fresh cleaning at their aged state. I've read NOT to sand them down, though with a growing collection of retired tips, I'd sure try that.
I then moved on to restore my Weller EC2002A Base Unit that powers the EC-1201A iron....the Triac in the base unit was out, as was the Temp Display. Replaced the Triac, so the iron can be set again, heats up fine, but the Display is out. That uses a CA3162E A/D converter driving a CA3161E BCD-7-segment Display driver, and my first go-around with a replacement A/D chip didn't fly. New chip didn't work (ebay purchase), and trying again, though not willing to spend $50 for the IC. So, waiting again for parts....like to get that base unit working again, having a good collection of tips for it.
Does anyone have any luck with restoring the conductive surfaces on tips as they age and oxidize? I don't have a solder pot to try dipping them into the pot after fresh cleaning at their aged state. I've read NOT to sand them down, though with a growing collection of retired tips, I'd sure try that.
I then moved on to restore my Weller EC2002A Base Unit that powers the EC-1201A iron....the Triac in the base unit was out, as was the Temp Display. Replaced the Triac, so the iron can be set again, heats up fine, but the Display is out. That uses a CA3162E A/D converter driving a CA3161E BCD-7-segment Display driver, and my first go-around with a replacement A/D chip didn't fly. New chip didn't work (ebay purchase), and trying again, though not willing to spend $50 for the IC. So, waiting again for parts....like to get that base unit working again, having a good collection of tips for it.
Comment